Whole Foods Market is “encouraged” by the pricing experiments it is running in several markets and expects to expand testing to more markets over the next few months if results continue to be positive, John Mackey, the company’s co-CEO, told analysts Wednesday....More

United Natural Foods, Inc., is positioned for continued strong growth, especially as it expands the perishables offerings from Tony’s Fine Foods beyond the West Coast while simultaneously reducing warehouse and distribution costs, analysts said Wednesday, a day after UNFI’s annual analyst meeting....More

Alfalfa’s, a Boulder, Colo.-based natural and organic products retailer, on Monday announced the promotion of two key management staff, and the appointment of natural and organic food retailing veteran Paul McLean to the newly created position of VP of purchasing, marketing and merchandising....More

Whole Foods Market has lowered pricing in the perishable sections of its five Austin, Texas, stores as part of an effort to improve its value image, industry observers told SN — though they said it could take up to two years to change consumer perceptions and impact sales if and when the program is rolled out chain-wide....More

Whole Foods Market is testing a rigorous price-cutting strategy in all five of its Austin-area locations, part of a pilot program that could eventually be expanded to other stores in the organic grocery chain, according to a report in the Austin American-Statesman....More

Whole Foods Market and Instacart on Monday announced a partnership offering customers one-hour deliveries from Whole Foods Market as well as a forthcoming option to place orders through Instacart for pick-up in Whole Foods stores....More